Cooling device for x-ray tubes



w Dec. 15, 1925-7 1,565,969

. SPIRO COOLING DEVICE FOR X-RAY TUBES Filed March 26, 1924 Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

UNITED STATES HARRY srrao, or sAn FRANCISCO, CALTFORNIA.

COOLING DEVICE FOR X-RAY TUBES.

Application filed March 26, 1924. Serial No. 702,015.

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, HARRY SPIRO, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city and county of San Francisco, and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cooling Devices for X- Ray Tubes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to X-ray tubes, and particularly pertains to the cooling means therefor.

It has been found in practice that the overheating of an X-ray tube produces objectionable results both in the operation of the tube and in injuring the physical parts of the tube, thus making it impossible to continuously usethe tube for a considerable period of time and making it necessary to allow intervals during which the tube may cool off. Considerable amount of the heat affects the electrodes, and it is the principal object of the present invention to provide suitable means for cooling the electrodes and thus allowing continuous operation of the tube Without objectionable results.

The present invention contemplates the use of heat radiating fins applied to the stem of an electrode and against which a blast of air is continuously delivered.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is aview in perspective showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a View in end elevation showing the present invention and the manner in which it is used in directing streams of air against the radiator fins of the device.

Fig. 3 is a view in elevation showing the invention with parts broken away to more clearly disclose its construction.

Fig. 4 is a View in elevation showing a modified form of the invention in which a fan is used to produce a cross current.

Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the application of the preferred embodiment of the invent-ion.

Referring more particularl to the drawings, 10 indicates the usual X ray tube having necks 11 and 12 carrying the electrodes. The stem of electrode 13 is here shown as projecting from the neck of the tube as indicated at 14. This projecting portion of the stem of the electrode is fitted with a heat radiation structure 15 in the shape of a central sleeve 16, and a plurality of circular disks 17. These disks are spaced at suitable distance from each other and mounted upon a sleeve 16. It will be evident that heat carried by the stem 14: of the electrode will be transmitted to the sleeve 16 and then to the annular fins formed by the disk 17.

This constructionin itself will permit a considerable cooling action of the stem of the electrode to be brought about by direct radiation of the heat from the fins. In order to increase this action, however, the present invention contemplates the use of means for creating a blast of air across the disks and between them.

This is preferably done by providing multiple nozzles 18 and 19 formed with openings 20 through which jets of air may be projected against and between the radiating fins 17 of the cooling device. These air jets will substantially pass in the paths of travel indicated in dotted lines of Fig. 2 of the drawings, and it is preferable that the openings 20 on the members 18 and 19 shall be staggered relative to each other so that the jets of air from the two nozzles will be laterally projected between adjacent disks.

Air is delivered to the nozzles 18 and 19 through a distributing pipe 21 from a suitable supply pipe 22. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the openings 20 are indicated as being of relatively small dimensions, thus causing the air to be projected against and between the radiating tins with considerable velocity. It may, however, be desirable to increase the diameter of the openings 20 when it is impossible to obtain compressed air and when it is necessary to depend upon a low pressure blower for supplying a large volume of air at low pressure. It may also be found desirable to dispense with the nozzles l8 and 19 and provide a fan 23 as in-' dicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, which will blow against the cooling structure and assist in the heat radiation.

It will thus be seen by the use of the device here disclosed it is possible to provide adequate means for bringing about suitable made in its construction without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters 5 Patent is:

In combination with an X-ray tube fitted with heat radiating fins disposed in spaced relation to each other on the projecting end of one of the electrodes, a plurality of nozzles arranged around the fins and formed 10 with openings for projecting air between said fins, said air being delivered under pressure from a suitable source of supply. HARRY SPIRO. 

